There are several stages in planning a proposed marine conservation reserve. Below is a step by step guide to the approach commonly used in Western Australia. However, with each new reserve or management plan review there may be variations. The current reserve proposals and review processes follow this format as a general rule however, where there are modifications information is provided in the individual reserve sections.

Key Steps

1. Background information on the area's ecological (eg. marine communities and wildlife) and social values (eg. uses of the area) is gathered to support the planning of the proposed marine conservation reserve.
2. Agreement is sought by the Minister for the Environment from the Minister for Fisheries and the Minister for Resources and Assisting the Minister for State Development to formally commence the planning process for the candidate marine conservation reserve.
3. A community-based Advisory Committee or other participation mechanism such as a focus group is established, to facilitate community involvement in the reserve proposal.
4. A draft indicative management plan (IMP) is developed in consultation with the advisory committee or focus group and with extensive community input. Additional consultation on specific issues of concern is also undertaken with sector reference groups and other stakeholders.
5. The Marine Parks and Reserves Authority (MPRA) reviews the draft